Sirach 6

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.	1 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.
2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]	2 Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bul ,
3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.	3 and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.
4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.	4 An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.
5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.	5 A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.
6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.
7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.	7 If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;
8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.	8 for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but wil not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.	9 Another kind of friend wil fal out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,
10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.	10 and a third kind of friend wil share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:
11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.	11 when you are doing well he wil be your second self, ordering your servants about;
12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.	12 but, if disaster befal s you, he wil recoil from you and keep out of your way.
13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.	13 Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.
14 A faithfu1l friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.	14 A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.
15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.	15 A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.
16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.	16 A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.	17 Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.
18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.	18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and til your hair is white you wil keep findingwisdom.
19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.	19 Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you wil toil a littlewhile, but very soon you wil be eating her crops.
20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.	20 How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:
21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.	21 she wil weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time inthrowing her off;
22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.	22 for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.
23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,	23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:
24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.	24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;
25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.	25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;
26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.	26 court her with al your soul, and with al your might keep in her ways;
27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.	27 search for her, track her down: she wil reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.
28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.	28 For in the end you wil find rest in her and she wil take the form of joy for you:
29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.	29 her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her col ars, a precious necklace.
30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.	30 Her yoke wil be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;
31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.	31 you wil wear her like a robe of honour, you wil put her on like a crown of joy.
32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.	32 If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intel igent.
33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,	33 If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.
34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.	34 Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.
35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.	35 Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.
36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.	36 If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.
37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.	37 Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at al times with his commandments. He wilstrengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.